Bagautinov suspended for year over failed drug test

Former UFC flyweight contender Ali Bagautinov has received a one-year suspension from the British Columbia Athletic Commission due to a failed drug test.

Prior to challenging Demetrious Johnson for the UFC 125-pound title on June 14 in Vancouver, Bagautinov (13-1) submitted a random drug test ordered by the BCAC. The test came back positive for erythropoietin, or EPO.

The results of that test were still unknown on June 14, and thus did not prevent Bagautinov from competing at UFC 174. He lost to Johnson via unanimous decision.

The commission revealed the test results in an online statement.

"Mr. Ali Bagautinov was tested out of competition on June 2, 2014," the office stated. "Results were positive for erythropoietin, or EPO - a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA].

"[The BCAC] has suspended Mr. Bagautinov's license to compete in British Columbia for a period of one year."

The positive test means two UFC fighters tested positive for EPO in the span of three days. On June 5, now-retired middleweight Chael Sonnen tested positive for EPO in a random test administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The banned substance is used to increase red blood cell production, which can boost stamina and endurance in athletic performance.

Prior to the UFC title fight, international reports surfaced that Bagautinov had failed drug tests while competing under the International Sambo Federation two years ago. Bagautinov denied those reports to ESPN.

The BCAC said it tested eight fighters - Johnson, Bagautinov and six others selected at random - at UFC 174. All results of the fight night tests came back clean.